Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil El-Arabi said on Tuesday that his country is to join the International Criminal Court, as Egypt strives in the wake of its revolution to become a "legally constituted state."

"Egypt is currently taking the required steps to join all United Nations agreements on human rights and to join the International Criminal Court," El-Arabi said during a joint press conference in Cairo with visiting German foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle.

He said Egypt was working hard to become a "legally constituted state" after the overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak on 11 February.

Mubarak is under arrest in a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, where he fled with his family during the popular uprising that toppled his regime.

His two sons, Alaa and Gamal, and dozens of senior former regime figures are in prison or being investigated over allegations of violence against protesters and corruption.

"I think the events that have taken place in Egypt in recent days and the arrest of senior officials is evidence that the state wishes to follow the rule of law... domestically and internationally," El-Arabi said.

Nationwide protests that erupted on 25 January, forcing Mubarak to step down, saw power transferred to a ruling military council that has vowed to pave the way for a free and democratic society.